Only one chapter for now.

Student + Dying = Studying

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In a village nestled between a valley, the people lead fairly ordinary lives. Holding a small population of 50 families, their days pass by without incident.

Beyond the village lay verdant fields and cliffs. Their fields give life to various flora and fauna they use for agriculture. The valley cliffs serve as natural protection from strong winds that may uproot crops and destroy their homes while being rich in minerals that become part of the village's production of tools and equipment. Thankfully, there is also a river that ran through the valley giving the village a source of water.

At the riverside near the edge of the village, a large tree can be found. Underneath it, a group of children sat around a woman with a book, a storyteller. The children around her listened with smiles and lively eyes.

The storyteller told the children many stories filled with adventure. Stories of a young hero saving a princess, a young woman who rose up to save her country, an old magician who visits children to teach them, a benevolent god who gave mercy to the people by gifting a champion, a dragon who gave gifts of power to those it deemed worthy, and many more.

The story being told now was about a young boy who grew up witnessing an empire's injustices and rose up to be an influential person in an oppressed colony who served as the spark for his people to rise up and declare independence. When the storyteller finished, she had the children go home because it was getting dark.

Within that group of children, a boy, who looked around ten years old, remained.

"Little one, it's time to go home." the storyteller said.

"I wanna know something, first." replied the boy.

"Yes?"

"When will you come again?"

"Ah, hm. I'm not sure, did you like the stories?"

"I loved them!" said the boy with a big, happy smile.

The storyteller smiled as well.

"Little one, would you like to read books?"

The boy's face changed.

"I... I would love to, but..."

"But?"

"I... I can't read... mother hasn't taught me."

"Hm... how about this, I will teach you."

The boy brightened at her proposal, but froze when he realized something.

"But, aren't you on a journey?"

"Oh, it's fine, little one. Staying in many places, and passing down knowledge is part of what I actually do."

The storyteller then pulled out an emblem.

"Do you know what this is?"

"That... that's a Sage Mark!"

The boy was surprised that the storyteller was a certified sage.

Anybody with the Sage Mark is authorized to teach others and deliver newfound knowledge.

"Storytelling is just one job of mine. I primarily teach. I know, gather more of your friends so you're not alone."

"Yes!"

"Go on home now, little one. The night is not a time when little ones are outside."

"See you, ma'am!"

The boy then ran back home.

The next days came and went fast. During those days, the storyteller, now known as Sage Shiue, lived in the village elder's home while she taught the children how to read. First were the letters, then the numbers. As the days flew by, the sage grew attached to the village and set up a permanent school. Anybody interested was taught languages and mathematics. Any other advanced topics such as sciences and history can be requested for another time.

Years passed and the ten year old boy grew up to be a fine fifteen year old young man.

"Teacher Shiue! Good day!" the young man greeted while cleaning their yard.

"Good day, little one." Sage Shiue greeted back.

"Little one!? Come on, stop calling me that."

"Why not? I've been calling you that since five years ago."

"I'm grown up already."

"I don't know, people who still need to say that they've 'grown up' haven't really 'grown up' to others. Besides, it's cute."

"Ahh! Just stop calling me 'little one', the others are ridiculing me."

"Oh? Fine then. I'll call you 'little man', better?"

"Buh!? Better!? It's worse!"

"Then, what do you want me to call you?"

"Call me by my name!"

"Why?"

"You call everybody else by their names."

"But, I want to call you by your nickname."

"Nickname?"

"Little one."

"GAH! For real!?"

"Hmhmhm~"

"Aww... nevermind."

"Don't worry, you will always be my little one."

---

The night sky has covered the Great Emerald Forest. Creatures of the night have now woken up. The nocturnal settlement sentries are now on full alert for wild monsters. The nocturnal avian females began singing their beautiful songs spreading them amongst the settlement reassuring their safety in the night.

Cavaron awoke in the middle of their songs.

'Hm... such beautiful whispers.' he thought as he listened and sat up.

Checking his body's condition, he took up a comfortable position to meditate. He began sensing the mana within his body to know if he recovered enough while he slept.

'Hn? That's a lot... about 6 hours of continuous > at most... Is it because of the forest?'

Figuring he has recovered enough, he left the hut where he rested. Stepping outside, he met a tranquil settlement lit by campfires. The avian females were still singing while the others just listened. Cavaron joined the others around a campfire. When the tribesmen noticed him, he just put his finger on his lips telling them to be quiet, and he motioned the avian females to continues singing.

After they finished their song, Cavaron ripped space again and pulled something out.

A harmonica.

The tribesmen were puzzled since it was their first time seeing such an item, so they asked what it was. Cavaron just said, "You'll see." and started playing.

(AN: here are the tabs for one of my favorites).

Part A :

-5 +5 -5 -6 +5

-4 +4 -4 -5 +4

-3' -3" -3' -5 +5 +4

-4 +5 -5 -6 +6

-5 +5 -5 -6 +5 +4

-4 +5 -5 +6 -6

-6 +6° -6 +6 -5 +5 -6 -4' +5 -4

Part B :

-4 +5 -5 +6 -6

+6 +7 +6° -6 +6 -5 +5 -5 -4

-4 +4 -3' +4 -4 -5

+5 -5 +6 +5 -4 -4

-4 +5 -5 +6 -6

+6 +7 +6° -6 +6 -5 +5 -5 -4

-4 +4 -3' +4 -4 -5 +5

-5 +6 +6° -6

+6 -5 +5 -4'

A B A

Legend :

' : half tone bend

'' : one tone bend

° : overblow

(AN: Sorry if many of you don't know it. Let us just say it's sort of a tribute).

As he played, the tune resounded even more than the avians' songs. The song was sad, as though he was longing for something. More tribesmen came closer to listen to his song. Even the Ladenrasians and the non-human leaders came. Ritna just stood beyond the fire's light as she listened.

'Why? Why are you beyond my reach? Why do you make me remember him?' she thought as she grasped her chest.

'Master...' Culverin was concerned because he knew.

'It is difficult to believe he was the same man before.' Rowena thought in disbelief.

'Brother...' Alrus was reminded of Alrik.

The only ones who didn't come were the sentries tasked to ensure the settlement's safety. Some of them, however, had acute hearing and paused their patrols to listen.

Cavaron played for a whole two minutes. When he finished, silence filled the settlement. The only sounds present were the crackling of flames, and the wild beasts beyond the settlement.

Ritna, on the side, approached Cavaron from behind, knelt down, and hugged him. Cavaron didn't resist because they both knew that this is the last time she will be able to do so. The others left, and gave the two privacy.

"I'm sorry, Ritna."

Tears never formed when she let go. On her face, however, was regret mixed with resolve.

"No, it's my fault. I hoped to heal this broken heart of mine with you. Your song, it made me remember who I truly loved. I was probably just envious of your power."

"Power, huh? Well, at least you have power now. As a queen, of course."

"Maybe, but it wasn't possible without you."

"Hm... Ah, I have something for you."

Cavaron pulled out 17 Delns from his pocket, gave them to her, but kept one for future use.

"This will be my final gift. Use it to help the non-human races."

"How... how did you get so much money?"

"I just sold some things, that is all I can say."

"Hm, then, I gladly accept your gift."

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Wonder if anybody will realize what the story told and the song were?

Little by little, some, if not all, questions will be answered.

Point out mistakes if you see them, please.

Thanks!